Itauma Set to Return to the Ring in January

Moses Itauma will step back into the ring in January. His trainer, Ben Davison, will remain with him after Itauma's first professional loss to Filip Hrgovic in August.

Promoter Frank Warren said Itauma will face an easier opponent next time. Despite some criticism aimed at Davison and the training team about Itauma's fitness, the team will stay unchanged.

The 21-year-old boxer fought for the vacant IBF heavyweight title at London’s O2 Arena on August 29. He started strong, controlling the early rounds and knocking down Hrgovic in the second round. But he got tired and was stopped in the ninth round. Davison threw in the towel as the referee intervened. Itauma was later taken to the hospital. This was the first fight of his career that went past the sixth round, leaving his record at 14 wins and one loss.

Warren held a meeting to analyze the defeat and discuss the next steps for Itauma. He shared details of the meeting with Playbook Boxing. “There has been a conversation, and the proof will be in the pudding,” he said. “He is staying with Ben and the team. That is where he is at. You have got to judge him now on his results, which is what we will do.”

Warren defended Davison and took the blame for the fight. “It is always the case: if a fighter is winning, the trainer is great. If he gets beat, he is not. I signed off on that fight. At the end of the day, if any of them fight, that is down to me. I accept my responsibility for that, and everyone has to accept responsibility for it,” Warren said.

Warren also mentioned Anthony Joshua, who is working with Davison again for his December fight against Tyson Fury. “There is a reason for that,” he said. “You expect certain things to happen in fights and certain things to happen in training. It is what it is; we have to move forward. Next year is going to be so exciting, and there are some good trainers, but there are not a lot of really good coaches around that teach boxing.”